This module focuses on the issue of famine as a basis for geographical enquiry. Through exploring the causes of famine and why it occurs in some regions and not others, students develop a basic understanding of how various agricultural factors shape farming characteristics and determine farming yields. From this basic understanding, students can examine the extent to which famine is a naturally or human-induced disaster. The two case studies chosen for this topic allow students to identify how different factors lead to significant variation in the agricultural characteristics of regions with similar natural environmental settings. They also enable students to examine the role and influence of technology in agriculture, and the positive and negative effects of using agricultural technology in raising yields and combating the food shortage problem.
Guiding Questions Explanatory Notes Concepts Skills and Suggested Learning Activities
1. Why do some regions have surplus food production whereas others are suffering from famine?
2. What is “famine”?
3. Where do most famines occur?
What are the similarities found in regions frequently affected by famine?
The availability of food supplies is uneven and does not match demand on a global scale
̶ Global patterns of food production and consumption in relation to population
̶ Global contrasts in diet and food consumption
̶ Patterns of trade in food
Definition of “famine”
Causes of famine in relation to economic, technological, social and physical conditions
Location and distribution Spatial association Region
Spatial variation People-environment interrelationship
Select and record information from print sources, audio-visual and computer technologies, maps and photographic records to describe and define key issues and problems related to famine.
Read and draw maps (using GIS) from atlases or statistical data to highlight the location of areas suffering from famine.
Draw diagrams and graphs (e.g. bar, line, pie, scatter) using appropriate computer software to illustrate the spatial distribution of food availability based on statistical data collected from various sources.
Compare patterns from mapped data to identify how the interaction between physical and human environments affects food production and consumption.
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Guiding Questions Explanatory Notes Concepts Skills and Suggested Learning Activities
4. What are the factors that affect agricultural production in an area?
How do these factors shape the characteristics of farming in an area?
Physical, economic, social and political factors affecting agriculture (especially agricultural production and agricultural characteristics)
Agricultural system Agricultural factor Interaction
Use graphic representations to display the major physical and human factors that affect agriculture.
5. Where is Sahel? Where is Southern California? What are the
characteristics of their natural environments?
6. What are the agricultural
characteristics of nomadic herding in Sahel? What are the agricultural characteristics of irrigation farming in Southern California?
Location of Sahel and Southern California
Characteristics of the physical environments of Sahel and Southern California, in particular climate, soil, vegetation cover and relief
Agricultural characteristics of nomadic herding in Sahel and irrigation farming in Southern California, with a specific focus on the differences in their technological, economic, political and socio-cultural aspects
Location Place
Correlate aerial photos / satellite images with maps and use the evidence to recognise the main characteristics and patterns of different
agricultural activities.
Summarise the similarities and differences in the characteristics of nomadic herding and irrigation farming by means of graphic representation (e.g.
using input-output model).
7. Why are agricultural characteristics so varied even in similar natural environmental settings?
8. How true is it to say that human factors are becoming more and more dominant than physical factors in influencing agriculture?
Factors affecting agricultural characteristics in Sahel and Southern California, emphasising how the same set of factors operates so differently in creating such variation
The diminishing role of physical factors in influencing agriculture, particularly in more developed areas
The growing importance of human factors, especially technology, in influencing agriculture
Spatial variation Interaction between physical and human factors
Physical system Human system
Design a questionnaire for interviewing local farmers about how the natural environment and technology influence agricultural activities.
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Guiding Questions Explanatory Notes Concepts Skills and Suggested Learning Activities
9. To what extent can technology help to increase agricultural production and alleviate food shortage? Is genetically modified food a possible way out?
10. Have we really overcome most of the farming constraints imposed by the natural environment? What price do we have to pay for this
“success”?
11. Is it possible for us to minimise the negative impact of using technology in agriculture, and at the same time produce enough food for everyone?
Modern farming methods, e.g. the use of chemicals, irrigation, drainage and their effects on farming yields
A brief overview of the possible environmental, economic and social (including health) implications of genetically modified food
Consequences of misuse and overuse of agricultural technology, e.g.
reduction of biodiversity, habitat loss, land degradation, soil erosion, chemical pollution of land and water courses, and the impact on the rural landscape
Measures taken to ensure sustainable agricultural development, e.g. multiple cropping, water and soil conservation methods, and organic farming
Impact of technology Change over time Limitation of technology Resource management in agriculture
Sustainable agricultural development
Rank the desirability of various technological solutions for overcoming farming constraints.
Summarise the positive and negative effects of technology on agriculture from the information collected from various sources.
Role-play stakeholders to enhance understanding of the current and alternative practices for raising food production and their impact on the
environment.
Conduct a field visit to an organic farm in Hong Kong.
Values and attitudes
Appreciate the limitations of agricultural technology
Be aware of the advantages and disadvantages of technology
Show concern about the difficulties encountered by people in other areas
Time allocation: 24 hours
Case / Specific Examples: Nomadic herding in Sahel and irrigation farming in Southern California
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